LIVING KARDASHIANISM

LIVING KARDASHIAN

Friday, May 08, 2015

  The queen of selfies, Kim Kardashian, has written a new book on selfies. It’s called SELFISH.

  Janie B. Cheaney wrote “Personal ‘drama’ rules the lives of young and not-so-young people who see themselves as stars of their own soap opera. Most are women, but men frequently and dramatically swear off drama, only to come back for more of it.” (WORLD, April 4, 2015. YEAR-ROUND SILLY SEASON)

  An acquaintance that for some reason asked to remain anonymous, commented “Yeah, it’s one of the problems with troubled marriages today. One or both expect drama, high adventure every day and night. They are broken and it breaks them!”

  While people in Africa and the Middle East are shredded, the internet is explodes for hours at a time with comments, yea arguments, over a dress, a puppy, whatever.

  Why do people reject God’s present and eternal redemption?

  The general reason is mankind though the Light is very much available darkness is preferred and chosen with great frequency. (Jn.3:19; Mt.7:13-14)

  One of the specific reasons is stated in Psalms, “You hate discipline. You toss my words behind you.” (GW 50:17)

  The Apostle Paul warned of Kardashianism, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors [untrustworthy betrayers], heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (KJV 2Tim.3:1-5)

  What do you say this day?

EBB4

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Thursday, May 7, 2015

John [ESV today] 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

  Habitat For Humanity does a wonderful thing helping families gain physical housing.

  Jesus, God Incarnate, Logos, Word in the flesh, provides the utmost present and eternal abode.

Colossians [Apostle Paul exhorting] 3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

  The word “dwell” meaning “to abide, remain, to simply feel at home”.

  Studying Colossians 3:16 in context we see this “dwelling” is indeed meaning in heart and mind, but also in definitively highly productive manners; very much in application in all relationships, spousal, family, friends, acquaintances et al.

  Which leaves you and me with question “Am I truly His habitat for humanity?”

EBB4 

THEONOMY VIA NAR

THEONOMY VIA NAR

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

  The topic THEONOMY AS A RULE? On Friday, April 3, 2015 was challenged as a fizzled religious movement. I responded “Not so.” Read the following essay from Gotquestions and see what you think. Or possibly you’re already on the ride?  EBB4

Question: "What is the New Apostolic Reformation?"

  The New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR, is a loose collection of non-denominational and independent churches rallying around a particular set of biblical interpretations. The New Apostolic Reformation approaches church leadership and biblical interpretation differently from mainstream Protestant denominations. Of particular distinction are the role and power of spiritual leaders, a literalist approach to spiritual warfare, and an overt interest in cultural and political control. Unfortunately, this has led to some unscriptural approaches to faith and spirituality.
  Growth in the New Apostolic Reformation is driven primarily through small groups and church planting, often completely independent of a parent congregation. The movement is not centrally controlled, and many of its followers will not self-identify as part of it or even recognize the name. All the same, thousands of churches and millions of believers adhere to the teachings of the New Apostolic Reformation. Popular teachers associated with the New Apostolic Reformation include C. Peter Wagner, Rick Joyner, and Kim Clement.
  The New Apostolic Reformation teaches that God’s intended form of church governance is apostles and prophets, holding leadership over evangelists, pastors, and teachers. However, this has not been the case for the vast majority of Christian history. So, according to the New Apostolic Reformation, God began to restore prophets and apostles over the last thirty to forty years. Only now, as the church is properly guided by the appropriate spiritual leaders, can it fulfill its commission. This commission is seen as more than spiritual, as it includes cultural and political control.
  In the New Apostolic Reformation, apostles are seen as the highest of all spiritual leaders, being specially empowered by God. True maturity and unity, per the New Apostolic Reformation, is only found in those who submit to the leadership of their apostles. According to this teaching, as the church unifies behind the apostles, these leaders will develop greater and greater supernatural powers. Eventually, this will include the ability to perform mass healings and suspend the laws of physics. These signs are meant to encourage a massive wave of converts to Christianity. These apostles are also destined to be recipients of a great wealth transfer (in the end times), which will enable the church to establish God’s kingdom on earth.
  Prophets in the New Apostolic Reformation are almost as important as apostles. These people have been empowered to receive “new” revelations from God that will aid the church in establishing dominion. According to the New Apostolic Reformation, only prophets, and occasionally apostles, can obtain new revelations. Evangelists, pastors, and teachers cannot. The prophets’ new revelations are crucial to overcoming the world, and the success of the church depends on the apostles following through on the information prophets provide. Most of their prophecies are extremely vague and easy to re-interpret, and the New Apostolic Reformation is willing to modify them, since they set no standard of infallibility for themselves.
  According to New Apostolic thinking, mankind lost its dominion over earth as part of the fall of Adam. So Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross not only resolved our sin debt, but it empowered mankind—specifically, Christians—to retake control of the earth. The New Apostolic Reformation sees seven areas in which believers are supposedly empowered and expected to dominate: government, arts, finances, education, religion, family, and media. Of these, the New Apostolic Reformation sees government as the most important because of its ability to influence all of the other facets of life. As a result, the New Apostolic Reformation overtly encourages Christian control over politics, culture, and business. In some ways, this is nothing unusual, as people should be expected to vote and lobby according to their convictions. The New Apostolic Reformation, however, is often accused of pushing for outright theocracy.
  Spiritual warfare, according to the New Apostolic Reformation, is meant to resolve worldly concerns. For example, economic troubles or health problems in a particular city are seen as the result of a demonic spirit’s influence. Prayer, research into the specific name of that demon, and other spiritual disciplines are then applied in an effort to combat this presence. This is necessary not only for the health of the region, but also because the church cannot take “dominion” over that area until the demonic control has been lifted.
  Biblically, there are major problems with the New Apostolic Reformation. Claiming that Christians have access to certain spiritual gifts is one thing, but their distinctive approach to the role of apostles and prophets is a stretch from what is found in the Bible. More to the point, the office of apostle requires traits which are impossible today. For example, true apostles must be personal eyewitnesses of the risen Christ (1 Corinthians 9:1; 15:7–8), specifically designated as apostles by Jesus (Galatians 1:1; Acts 1:2; Luke 6:13), and already verified by miraculous signs (Matthew 10:1; 2 Corinthians 12:2; Acts 5:12).

  The idea of new revelations from God, especially those that come in the form of vague, easily reinterpreted mysteries, runs counter to the idea of a faith delivered “once for all” to mankind (Jude 1:3). The fact that New Apostolic Reformation prophecies frequently turn out to be false suggests a false spirit behind those predictions (Deuteronomy 18:22).
  The same holds true for miracles: the ideological father of the movement, C. Peter Wagner, decreed the end of European Mad Cow disease in 2001—and the disease is still being diagnosed and treated some fourteen years later. The tendency of the New Apostolic Reformation to treat spiritual warfare as a type of Christianized voodoo is not only unbiblical, but dangerous.
  Likewise, the emphasis on an earthly kingdom contradicts Jesus’ own declaration that the Kingdom of God was spiritual, not political (John 18:36). It places an unhealthy emphasis on political and worldly approval, rather than Christlike influence.
  Though it uses the word new, the New Apostolic Reformation is actually a reworking of a very common, very old approach. Since the beginning of Christianity, various groups have claimed to have a “new revelation” from God to correct all of the errors of the present world. These movements contend that “real” spirituality or maturity or truth is found only by those who listen to their leadership. Some of these sects, such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormonism, endure and become religions in their own right. Others fade away.
  Much of what the New Apostolic Reformation teaches has at least some basis in Scripture, albeit carried much further than the Bible intends. That, however, still makes those doctrines unbiblical, and Christians should flatly reject the New Apostolic Reformation’s teachings and those who choose to be associated with it.

Recommended Resources: A New Apostolic Reformation?: A Biblical Response to a Worldwide Movement by Geivett & Pivec and Logos Bible Software.

http://www.gotquestions.org

THE ONE WHO INTERVENES

THE ONE WHO INTERVENES AND CALMS THE STORMS OF LIFE

Tuesday, May 05, 2015

John [KJV today] 8:36; 14:27 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. …       

       Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let

       not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Romans 8:26-34 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Hebrews 7:25-26  Wherefore he [Jesus] is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

1Peter 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

1John 1:6-9  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

  Recent period of nighttime thunderstorms woke me not. Allergy’s coughing gales and nasal pouring did. Last night was yet another feat of clime, but woke me not as I calmly slept.

  Awakened suddenly at five weighted with dark guilt from despicable action 62 years ago.

  Once again gave it to my Redeemer and rejoiced in the peaceful freedom only He does provide.

EBB4

ZOOPHILIA

ZOOPHILIA

Monday, May 4, 2015

Genesis [MKJV today] 2:18-22 And Jehovah God said, It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him. And out of the ground Jehovah God formed every animal of the field and every fowl of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. And Adam gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field. But there was not found a suitable helper for Adam. And Jehovah God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept. And He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh underneath. And Jehovah God made the rib (which He had taken from the man) into a woman. And He brought her to the man.

  Zoophilia is not about the love of family fun days at the zoo. It is sexual persuasion/sexual perversion  involving sexual obsession on animals. Practitioners are called zoophiliacs. Sex involving men, women, and various animals is not illegal is some countries and therefore not only practiced behind closed doors and but openly in public venues. In nations where it is illegal, it is still practiced secretly.

  Zoophilia (bestiality) was legal in Denmark until recent law against was passed, but not unanimously, by Danish legislature. As goes these days, local law-abiding zoophiliacs think themselves oppressed and inconvenienced at having to vacation in Hungary, Finland, or Romania.

  God’s Word not only speaks of the performance, He harshly speaks to the practice.

Exodus 22:19 Anyone lying with an animal shall surely be put to death.

Leviticus 18:23-26; 20:15-16 And you shall not lie with any animal to defile yourself with it. And a woman shall not stand before an animal to lie down to it. It is a perversion. Do not defile yourselves in any of these things. For in all these the nations are defiled, which I cast out before you. And the land is defiled. Therefore I visit its wickedness on it, and the land itself vomits out those who live in it. You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations, neither the native, nor any stranger that lives among you. … And if a man lies with an animal, he shall surely be put to death. And you shall kill the animal. And if a woman goes up to any animal and lies down with it, you shall kill the woman and the animal. They shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be on them.

Deuteronomy 27:21 Cursed is he who lies with any kind of animal. And all the people shall say, Amen.

   Think not that Danish legislators are taking a stand for Biblical morality. The vote is all about animal rights, national image, and family tourism euros, dollars, and yen. And there’s also further active effort by PETA to put a stop to Jewish kosher butchering.

  What next, PETA against sexual revolutionaries that want to openly marry their pets? Or maybe even an internal PETA/ACLU civil war over human versus animal rights?

  I don’t know but strongly expect that however whatever . . . Christians will be framed as the real beasts in the scenario.

EBB4

For those interested in more info: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/10/14/denmark-s-bestiality-problem-it-s-legal.html and http://www.jpost.com/Jewish-World/Jewish-News/Jewish-groups-excoriate-Denmark-over-legalized-bestiality-347467 and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoophilia_and_the_law_in_the_United_States

A.C.T.s

A.C.T.s

Sunday, May 03, 2015

2Timothy [MKJV] 2:1-5 Therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.  Therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  No one who wars tangles with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who chose him to be a soldier.  And also if anyone competes, he is not crowned unless he competes lawfully.

  Behind the wheel of a behemoth DeSoto 4 door sedan, the Driver Training class at North Harford High School was basic peddle and point *stuff.

  I’m fortunate in having my Dad teach me to drive. Dad went beyond the basics. His style of driving instruction later became popularly known as defensive driving. Though never a Boy Scout (I was) he was definitely all about Be Prepared. My uncles reinforced, especially Gordon Bevan, always said “It’s better to have it when you don’t need it . . . then to need it and not have it!” Later when I was privileged to spend considerable time with many Christians that were in the military, they spoke of it as ACT, Advance Combat Training; “Playing in the sandbox.”

  I’m convinced drivers should mentally rehearse and wherever feasible physically practice a variety of safety drills. I even go so far, our society now with the knowledge of numerous collisions as the result of distracted driving, to suggest blindfolded training. Not while in motion of course, but while vehicle is immobile. Do so yourself first, then urge your spouse and teens definitely do so until radio, heater & AC, and all other dashboard controls can be operated without looking at the switches . . . without taking your eyes off the road. (In the military soldiers are blindfolded and required to disassemble and reassemble equipment.)

  What does this have to do with believers though? Since Eden we are in combat. (Rom.12:21; 2Cor.10:3)

  As Christians at war, we should not neglect or fumble equipping, but are to be knowledgeable of and skilled in the use of the provision of our Master. (1Cor.3:2; 2Tim.2:15; Heb.5:12),

  Hear our order of preparation: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Eph.6:10-20)

  Heed our main weapon: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb.4:12)

  It is imperative that we study, practice, drill, restudy, keep at hand and be honed by, or when sudden challenge comes we will not be able to meet the requirement of sanctifying the Lord God in our hearts. It is our responsibility to be prepared whether in calm or storming, always able to give answer to every man that asks us for the reason of the confident anticipation that is in us; humbly pointing out sin, patiently warning and encouraging people. (1Pet.3:15; 2Tim.4:1-2) 

  Whether to agreeably ACT or not is always our personal decision. (1Cor.3:11-15)

 EBB4 (Originally written Friday, October 28, 2011)

*Parked or mobile we weren’t allowed to touch switches or auxiliary controls.

WORSHIP INCLUDES ENEMIES

WORSHIP INCLUDES ENEMIES

Friday, May 01, 2015

Matthew [ESV today] 5:43-48 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. [also Lk.6:28]

Romans 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1Corinthians 13:1-13  If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

  Is it an act of worship to bless others as God and they have blessed us? Yes.

  Is it an act of worship to bless our enemies, even those who hate us or despitefully use us? Again, yes.

  Our worship is limited and unreasonably immature if we only love those who love us.

  Truly worshipping God involves a yieldedness to Jesus’ direction and example.

  Without Christ-likeness, our emulating He that lived, died, rose again, and now sits on the right hand of God – for our friend and foe alike, and then we love not as He loves.

  I confess the difficulty of praying for my enemies, those beings that harm those and that which I love.

  Lord, convict and help me worship You as I should! (Rom.12:1-3) 

2Corinthians 5:14-20 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

EBB4